Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet vs Sierra Vista Elementary
Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet and Sierra Vista Elementary are very closely rated, both scoring around 8.9 out of 10. Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet is significantly larger with 316 students, about 2.1× the size of Sierra Vista Elementary (151). In math proficiency, Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet leads at 62.0%.
Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet
Los Angeles, CA
316 students
Sierra Vista Elementary
Los Angeles, CA
151 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet | Sierra Vista Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.9 / 10 | 9.0 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 9.0 | 9.4 |
| Growth Score | 9.1 | 8.7 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 46.8% | 84.1% |
| Environment Score | 8.4 | 9.2 |
| State Rank | #385 of 9,539 | #301 of 9,539 |
| State Percentile | 96th | 97th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet | Sierra Vista Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 62.0% | 57.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 57.0% | 47.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet | Sierra Vista Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Kindergarten – 6th | Kindergarten – 6th |
| Enrollment | 316 | 151 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 22.6:1 | 16.8:1 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 46.8% | 84.1% |
| Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23) | 18.7% | 39.7% |
| District | Los Angeles Unified | Los Angeles Unified |
| City | Los Angeles | Los Angeles |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Los Angeles (90041) | Los Angeles (90032) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $111,834 | $81,563 |
| Median Home Value | $1,135,200 | $780,100 |
| Median Rent | $1,797 | $1,571 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 51.6% | 24.8% |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 14.2% |
| Avg Commute | 30 min | 31 min |
The data story: Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet vs Sierra Vista Elementary
Sierra Vista Elementary holds the top spot in California, ranked #1 of 9,533 schools, while Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet sits at #172 — still elite, but 171 positions lower. The overall rating gap is 0.7 points, with Sierra Vista Elementary scoring 9.8/10 against Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet's 9.1/10. Both schools are located in Los Angeles just 3.3 miles apart, serve the same KG–06 grade span, and represent genuinely exceptional options — but the numbers separate them in ways that matter.
On academic measures, Sierra Vista Elementary edges Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet 9.5 to 9.0 in academic score. The growth gap is narrower but consistent: Sierra Vista Elementary scores 10.0/10 on growth versus Rockdale's 9.7/10, indicating that students at Sierra Vista are gaining ground against their academic peers at a slightly faster rate. These are small absolute differences, but against a field of 9,533 California elementary schools, they represent meaningful separation at the very top of the distribution.
The demographic picture differs sharply. Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet enrolls 316 students — more than double Sierra Vista Elementary's 151 — and operates at a 22.6:1 student-teacher ratio compared to Sierra Vista's 16.8:1. That 5.8-student-per-teacher gap translates to meaningfully more individual attention in Sierra Vista's classrooms. On economic composition, 84% of Sierra Vista Elementary students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch versus 47% at Rockdale, meaning Sierra Vista is achieving its #1 California ranking while serving a substantially higher-need population.
Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet is a specialized magnet program, meaning admission is by application and the school integrates visual and performing arts throughout the curriculum — a structural distinction that Sierra Vista Elementary, a traditional neighborhood elementary, does not offer. Families outside the attendance boundary can apply to Rockdale. Sierra Vista Elementary's access is geographically bound, making proximity and lottery outcomes the controlling factor for enrollment there.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet
Rockdale Visual & Performing Arts Magnet suits families who want arts integration woven into daily academics — music, visual arts, or performance — and are willing to navigate the magnet application process. With 316 students and strong scores just outside the top 200 in California, it fits a child who thrives in a larger, arts-focused environment regardless of home address.
Sierra Vista Elementary
Sierra Vista Elementary is the better fit for families who prioritize small class sizes, the highest measurable academic outcomes in California, and a traditional elementary experience. At 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio and ranked #1 of 9,533 in the state, it delivers top-tier results with more individual attention — for families within the attendance zone, it is among the clearest choices in Los Angeles.